Sweet Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups Recipe

Little Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups: Candy-Topped Joy Recipe

Baking delectable mini chocolate chip cookie cups with candy topping creates a delightful dessert that melts in your mouth.

Soft, chewy cookies transform into adorable bite-sized treats perfect for any occasion.

Each miniature cup bursts with rich chocolate chips and colorful candy pieces.

The recipe combines classic cookie ingredients with a playful twist that surprises and delights.

Creamy textures and sweet flavors blend seamlessly in these irresistible mini desserts.

Serve these delightful morsels at parties, gatherings, or enjoy them as a special personal treat.

Dive into this simple yet impressive recipe and watch everyone’s eyes light up with pure dessert joy.

  • Cookie Perfection Secrets: Smart Baking Hacks
  • Chilled Dough Technique: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, more defined cookie cups with perfect edges.
  • Even Baking Trick: Use a small spoon or cookie scoop to ensure uniform dough portions, guaranteeing consistent size and texture across all mini cookie cups.
  • Candy Placement Magic: Press candies gently into warm cookies immediately after baking to help them melt slightly and adhere perfectly without breaking.
  • Dietary Flexibility: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly version, and use dairy-free butter alternatives for vegan guests. Replace egg with mashed banana or applesauce for additional dietary adaptations.
  • Storage Wisdom: Store cooled cookie cups in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer preservation without losing texture or flavor.
  • Sweet Party Platter: Arrange cookie cups on a colorful tray with different candy toppings to create a visually stunning dessert display that guests will love.
  • Dessert Breakfast Twist: Serve these mini cookie cups alongside morning coffee or hot chocolate for a delightful sweet start to the day.
  • Ice Cream Companion: Nestle a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream into the center of a warm cookie cup for an indulgent, melt-in-your-mouth treat that combines temperatures and textures.
  • Gift-Worthy Treat: Package these cookie cups in clear gift boxes with ribbon, perfect for holiday gifting or as a charming homemade present for friends and family.
  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store these delightful cookie cups in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining their crisp texture and delicious flavor.
  • Freezing Technique: Carefully place cookie cups in a single layer within a freezer-safe container, separating each layer with parchment paper. They'll stay fresh for 3 weeks, allowing you to enjoy a sweet treat anytime.
  • Counter Storage Tips: Keep cookie cups at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain soft and ready to munch. Avoid humid areas to prevent soggy bottoms.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days before baking and store it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator. This method helps develop deeper flavors and saves time during busy moments.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 11

For Cookie Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and creates the classic cookie texture with a soft, tender crumb.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and achieve a light, airy texture with a golden-brown exterior.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookie cups.
For Sweeteners and Moisture:
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Delivers rich caramel-like sweetness and helps create a crisp yet chewy cookie texture.
  • Butter: Adds luxurious richness and helps create a melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to the cookie's structure and softness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings depth and warmth to the cookie's flavor profile.
For Mix-Ins and Topping:
  • Mini Chocolate Chips: Provides delightful bursts of chocolate throughout the cookie cup.
  • Candy Topping: Adds a playful, colorful surprise and extra sweetness to the finished treat.
  • Muffin Tin: Essential for shaping and baking mini cookie cups perfectly.
  • Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for creaming butter and sugar, creating smooth cookie dough.
  • Separate Mixing Bowl: Used for whisking dry ingredients before combining with wet mixture.
  • Electric Mixer or Whisk: Helps cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurately measuring ingredients.
  • Spatula or Wooden Spoon: Great for folding in chocolate chips and scraping bowl.
  • Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookie cups to cool evenly without getting soggy.
  • Tablespoon or Cookie Scoop: Perfect for portioning dough into muffin tin cavities.
  • Oven Warmup

Crank the oven to a cozy 350F. Grab your mini muffin tin and give it a quick spray or line with cute little paper cups.

  • Dough Magic

Whip together butter, sugars until they’re light and fluffy like a cloud. Crack in an egg and vanilla, mixing until everything looks smooth and dreamy. In another bowl, blend flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold dry ingredients into the creamy mixture. Sprinkle in chocolate chips for bursts of sweetness.

  • Cookie Cup Formation

Scoop a tablespoon of dough into each muffin cavity. Press down gently to create perfect little cookie cradles.

  • Baking Moment

Slide the tin into the oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges turn golden and centers look slightly puffy.

  • Candy Surprise

Pull out the hot cookie cups. Immediately press a colorful candy right into the center of each warm treat. Let them chill in the tin for a quick 5 minutes.

  • Delicious Finale

Transfer cookie cups to a cooling rack. Serve and watch faces light up with joy!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Sweet Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups Recipe

Sweet Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 11 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Delightful mini chocolate chip cookie cups with candy topping blend classic American dessert nostalgia with playful sweet indulgence. Compact cookie vessels cradle colorful candies, creating irresistible bite-sized treats you’ll savor with pure joy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¼ cups (157 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ¾ cup (128 g) mini chocolate chips
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • Assorted candies (mini peanut butter cups, M&Ms, Rolos, or Hershey’s Kisses)

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare mini muffin tin with non-stick spray or paper liners.
  2. Butter Mixture: Cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until fluffy, then blend in egg and vanilla extract until smoothly combined.
  3. Dough Creation: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt, then gently fold into butter mixture. Incorporate mini chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
  4. Dough Placement: Fill each muffin cavity with one tablespoon of dough, pressing gently to create an even layer covering the bottom of each cup.
  5. Baking Process: Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and slightly puffy centers as doneness indicators.
  6. Candy Topping: Immediately after removing from oven, press a candy into the center of each warm cookie cup. Let rest in tin for 5 minutes to stabilize shape.
  7. Finishing Touch: Transfer cookie cups to cooling rack and allow to reach room temperature. Optional: Drizzle with melted chocolate or add decorative elements for enhanced presentation.

Notes

  • Soften Butter Perfectly: Ensure butter is at room temperature, soft enough to cream easily but not melted, which helps create a smooth, light cookie texture.
  • Prevent Overmixing Dough: Gently fold dry ingredients and chocolate chips to maintain a soft, tender cookie structure without developing tough gluten.
  • Precise Portioning Technique: Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop for consistent size, pressing dough evenly to create uniform cookie cups with smooth edges.
  • Candy Placement Strategy: Add candy toppings immediately after baking while cookies are warm, allowing the heat to slightly melt the candy and create a seamless surface connection.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Marcus Foley

Marcus Foley

Food Critic & Kitchen Coach

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Troubleshooting; Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks; Global Flavor Exploration; Engaging Food Writing and Honest Reviews.

Education

Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), New York, NY

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in foundational techniques, flavor development, recipe creation, and kitchen efficiency, with an emphasis on real-world application and storytelling through food.

Marcus Foley, based in Atlanta, GA, is a friendly food expert who makes cooking fun and simple.

With hands-on training from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of tasting everything from street food to fine dining, he shares easy kitchen hacks, global flavor ideas, and step-by-step recipes that turn kitchen mishaps into delicious surprises.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star